Female footballer cleared after pitch battle

A FEMALE football captain was cleared yesterday of causing grievous bodily harm on her opponent after a league match turned ugly.

Trouble flared at the end of the game between Middlesbrough Ladies and Tranmere Ladies at Billingham Synthonia Ground, when Boro striker Nicola Duckling and Tranmere captain Lindsey Smith clashed.

All 22 players got involved in the row, which included allegations of spitting, a head-lock and a knee to the face, before they were split up, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Ms Smith, 23, of Birkenhead, Merseyside, denied a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, claiming self-defence.

She told the court she believed she was going to be attacked in the car park, bearing in mind what she claimed had happened at the end of the game.

David Watson, defending, told the jury: "Women's football is not like Keira Knightley in Bend It Like Beckham. It's a hard game, with no quarter given."

Boro players rejected Ms Smith's account in court, but a jury cleared her after deliberating for more than four hours.

Outside court, an emotional Ms Smith said: "I am happy it is over and done with now.

"The last nine months have been hell, getting accused of something I didn't do.

"I did punch her, I admitted that, but a lot of lies have been told about me right the way through this court case."

The Recorder ordered the defendant's costs be paid.

• Tranmere won the game 3-2.